There weren’t many folks at the church last evening to hear the latest news from the United States Post Office. Not like last time when the pews were full-to-overflowing. Of course, this time the news was good and the poor attendance seemed to underscore our peculiar human tendency to gravitate to the negative.
I couldn’t help thinking that the messenger of glad tidings, David Boos from the Postal Service’s district headquarters in Portland, was probably familiar with low church attendance. The last time he was here, he had shared with me that he is also a Baptist minister. It’s not news that most churches are suffering from diminishing congregations and that Good News (capital G, capital N) is what churches are all about.
But last night’s message was secular in nature. We were officially told that our little historic Oysterville Post Office will stay open! The hours will be limited to four-a-day during the week and stay the same (2 hours) on Saturdays.
And, though last night’s attendance didn’t bear it out, Mr. Boos told us, of all the Post Offices in his district threatened with closure, Oysterville’s had shown the greatest support from its patrons. This conclusion he based on the percentage of returned survey forms, sent to us about a month ago and asking which configuration we would like in the future.
Eighty-eight percent of us who responded chose keeping our post office where it is with a “realignment of hours.” Two percent chose “delivery option.” One percent chose “village post office” option. Nine percent did not choose among any of the options presented, and no one at all chose the “nearby post office option.”
I found it interesting that most of those who spoke at the meeting were still looking at the most negative scenario possible. Their questions were all about what would happen “in the future” if ‘they’ decided to close the post office again. There were also those who worried about lobby access, even though Mr. Boos explained that the postal authorities had determined that the hours of access to postal boxes would stay as they are now.
“But what if I’m coming home from a trip at ten o’clock at night and want to stop by to get my mail?” a man asked. At that point, one of my neighbors exited the meeting with an under-the-breath comment, “Maybe you could wait until the next morning?” I wasn’t far behind.
In my book, David Boos gets the highest marks possible for patience, clarity, positive responses to stupid questions and even more patience. (And if you are one of those who buy into “There are no stupid questions,” you weren’t at that meeting last night!) And, I realized after all was said and done, none of us thanked him for coming to deliver the good news in person. Belatedly, then, many thanks, Mr. Boos! In spite of our rather self-centered attitudes, we appreciate your time and effort. And your patience!
Bottom Line: Oysterville, WA 98641 continues alive and well! Hallelujah! Raise the flag!
I am so thankful that Oysterville will retain its identity with an address and Post Office for the near future! I am sure that is quite a relief.